Texans kicker Randy Bullock reacts after Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel blocked his 40-yard field-goal try near the end of the first half. The kick became Bullockâs ninth miss of the season, the most by any kicker in the NFL. less

Texans kicker Randy Bullock reacts after Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel blocked his 40-yard field-goal try near the end of the first half. The kick became Bullockâs ninth miss of the season, the most ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Cardinals wide receiver Andre Roberts (12) reaches up for a pass as Texans defensive back Brandon Harris (26) defends during the second half.

Cardinals wide receiver Andre Roberts (12) reaches up for a pass as Texans defensive back Brandon Harris (26) defends during the second half.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Case Keenum huddles the offense during the second half.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum huddles the offense during the second half.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans offensive coordinator Wade Phillips watches from the sidelines during the first half. Phillips served as the Texans as interim head coach while Gary Kubiak recovers after he suffered a mini-stroke last week. less

Texans offensive coordinator Wade Phillips watches from the sidelines during the first half. Phillips served as the Texans as interim head coach while Gary Kubiak recovers after he suffered a mini-stroke ... more

Texans quarterback Case Keenum fumbles as he tries to pass on the opening drive of the game.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum fumbles as he tries to pass on the opening drive of the game.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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The ball gets away from Texans quarterback Case Keenum as he is hit by Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell.

The ball gets away from Texans quarterback Case Keenum as he is hit by Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Cardinals outside linebacker Matt Shaughnessy returns Keenum's fumble for a touchdown less than a minute into the game.

Cardinals outside linebacker Matt Shaughnessy returns Keenum's fumble for a touchdown less than a minute into the game.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Case Keenum walks off the field after the Cardinals scored off his fumble on the opening drive.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum walks off the field after the Cardinals scored off his fumble on the opening drive.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Fans perform a card stunt to spell out "Thank You Veterans" during the first half.

Fans perform a card stunt to spell out "Thank You Veterans" during the first half.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fans cheer as the teams warm up before the game.

Texans fans cheer as the teams warm up before the game.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Case Keenum takes the field to warm up before the game.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum takes the field to warm up before the game.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Back surgery will end Arian Foster’s season

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Texans running back Arian Foster will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a ruptured disk in his back this week.

Dr. Robert Watkins in Marina Del Rey, Calif., will perform the surgery on Foster, who decided to have the operation after visiting three specialists.

Watkins has been one of the nation’s foremost back/spinal specialists for decades.

Among the professional athletes on whom Watkins has performed back spinal surgery are Rockets center Dwight Howard, Denver quarterback Peyton Manning and New England tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Foster, 27, might have the surgery Thursday, but no date had been set as of Sunday.

Foster hoped to find a treatment that would allow him to continue playing, but injections didn’t help him enough, according to a person close to Foster.

“Arian means a lot to this team,” receiver Andre Johnson said. “He’s a big part of what we do.”

Foster, a five-year veteran, was injured in the first quarter of the Nov. 3 loss to Indianapolis.

He finished the season with 542 yards rushing, a 4.5-yard average, and one touchdown. He caught 22 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown.

It was an injury-plagued 2013 season for Foster. He suffered a calf injury on the first day of organized team activities. Then he suffered a back injury. He was unable to participate in camp or preseason.

In the loss to Kansas City on Oct. 20, Foster left in the first quarter with a pulled hamstring. Early in the first quarter against the Colts, he departed with a back injury.

Ben Tate, who replaced Foster in the starting lineup against Indianapolis, started his second consecutive game Sunday when the Texans lost 27-24 at Arizona. Tate, playing with four cracked ribs, carried 15 times for 56 yards and caught three passes for 8 yards.

Tate is backed up by three players who weren’t on active rosters two weeks ago — Dennis Johnson, Deji Karim and Ray Graham. Johnson carried four times for 7 yards Sunday.